The House Finch is about 5.25 inches long
and has a conical bill and long tail for their size. Males vary somewhat
in color with a head and breast ranging from pale yellow to dark red
with a brown body and tail. Females are mostly brown in color with light
and dark streaks. The amount of red coloring in the male depends on the
amount of carotenoid pigments in the bird's diet. Females prefer the
 brightest
and reddest males; presumably the hue and intensity of color are
indications of the male's fitness. The House Finch is an abundant bird
and live in habitats ranging from undisturbed desert to chaparral and
open coniferous forests to cities, often choosing to live around areas
populated by humans.
|
The red head of the House Finch
in the photograph give it away as a male (likely viewed as quite
the prize among females of his species due to his dark red
coloring). |
The bird is vegetarian and feeds on buds, seeds, and
fruits. In fact they like fruit so much fruit that in parts of the West,
they may be considered pests. They are strongly attracted to bird
feeders (which is how I got this photo), where they prefer small
sunflower seeds. When ready to mate, females construct a nest which may
be placed in a variety of locations ranging from tree cavities to the
vines attached to the side of a building. From 2 to 6 eggs are incubated
by the female and hatch in about two weeks. Both parents care for the
young who may raise more than one brood in a breeding season. Banding
studies show that birds may live up to 10 years in the wild. |
